NBA: Some fans apathetic, others show disgust toward lockout

In an ideal world, the Cavaliers would be busy preparing for the 2011-12 season opener Wednesday in Boston.

The media would be talking about Cavs guard Kyrie Irving's NBA debut or center Anderson Varejao's return to the court after his ankle surgery last season.

Instead, there's very little chatter. Just a lot of apathy.

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Tuesday marks the 124th day of the NBA lockout. NBA commissioner David Stern has wiped out the first month of the season, with the threat of much, much more to come.

Included in those cancellations was the Cavs' home opener on Nov. 4 vs. Toronto, in addition to LeBron James' first appearance with his Miami Heat teammates on Nov. 18.

There's been some optimism along the way with the owners' impasse with the players. But that's not currently the case.

Some Cavs fans couldn't care less about what they view as a duel between billionaires vs. millionaires. Quicken Loans Arena could have cobwebs and tumbleweeds for all they care.

The only things keeping The Q from being completely dark are the American Hockey League's Lake Erie Monsters and some concert dates.

"I'm fed up with it," Michael Singer said. "I hope the (whole) season is lost because the NBA routinely takes its fans for granted. I want to start a movement called OccupyNBA."

Robert Kadow has an ulterior motive for hoping the lockout extends through the season. He wants to mess with James, who left the Cavs in the summer of 2010.

"I love it," he said. "I hope it goes all year. It will be another year that LeBron (James) doesn't get a ring, and another high draft pick for the Cavs."

Singer echoed Kadow's sentiments.

"The longer there's no season, the longer that our dear friend won't get a ring," he said.

Delano R. Massey said he's moved on with his life.

"It's like anything else that you lose in life: it sucks in the beginning but then you find other things to fill that void," he said. "Eventually, it becomes your 'new normal.'

"The NBA will have a tough time rebuilding because so many folks will have gotten used to this. Sure, we'll all come back, but it will definitely be an uphill battle."

Many fans care deeply about pro basketball and said they would flock back to NBA arenas in droves once -- if? -- the labor stalemate ends.

Michael A. Young is one Cavs fan who longs for the NBA. However, he said he understands the business issues have to be dealt with.

"I won't ever support (Cavs owner Dan) Gilbert again," Young said. "He helped drive this crazy train in the lockout. I'll root for the guys in the Cavs (uniforms) and that's it.

"My fandom and love of basketball goes beyond any player or owner. So whenever the NBA comes back, the normalcy will come back."

Susie Bedell said she feels a void in her life.

"Well, I'm crabby a lot, especially in the evening when I should be glued to League Pass," she said. "I will watch again when they finally start the season."

Bedell predicts the lockout will be over sometime around the new year.

"Depending on how disgusted I am, I may or may not spend money on tickets and merchandise," she said. "As much as I love going to games, I don't think I can justify the expense of tickets, parking and a bottle of water after this baloney.

"These millionaires and billionaires fighting over a few million here and there is bull. There is no way they are taking into account all the peripheral people losing work due to their greed. I wish there was a way to make them pay those workers (arena, parking, bar, restaurant, etc.) during the lockout."

Gary Molinaro said he's found other ways to spend his entertainment dollar.

"I love basketball, including the NBA, but I can live a season without it," he said. "Usually I support the players, but the NBA owners have lost control of the game and need to regain control, especially involving player movement and small-market situations.

"College ball will easily fill the void. Hopefully, fans will spend their money at the great local college programs in the (Cleveland) area."

Steve Duff, a Bulls fan who lives in Indiana, said he'll be back once the labor mess is over. His family is friends with Cavs forward Luke Harangody's family.

"I will be back as a fan whenever they come back," he said. "Plus, we are hoping for the best for Luke. I am concerned about the folks that are really hit hard by the lockout -- the vendors, security people, restaurant workers and owners near arenas, etc.

"It is a shame that these people got sucked into the greed-fest between the owners and players. I have seen several stories on these folks and it is indeed sad."